Series: The Cure [#20]
HOW I FIT IN
Romans 12:1-8
Introduction:
It has been interesting watching my sons bring their girlfriends to meet the family and them going to meet the girl’s family. I know that they are all concerned about how well they will fit in with each other’s family. It is human nature to want to fit in and I believe there are many people that do not participate in a Church because they don’t feel like they fit in. So, how do you fit in?
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.”
In order to discover how I fit in, I must…
1. Offer my body to God.
We discussed this last week and it is the 1st step to fitting into God’s plan. You have to allow God to have all of you. Your hands are God’s hands. Your tongue is God’s tongue. All of you belongs to God.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
In order to discover how I fit in, I must…
2. Get rid of distractions.
There are things in your life that need to be eliminated. You must prioritize your life and be available for God. There are many things that pull our attention away from God.
Romans 12:3 (NIV)
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
In order to discover how I fit in, I must…
3. Evaluate my strengths and weaknesses.
You must be realistic. Each of us have strengths and weaknesses. In order for you to discover God’s plan for your life, you need to examine your life carefully. You need to identify your spiritual gifts and you do that by serving in areas that you are strong in. Most people think that they are either irreplaceable or worthless. Neither of those theories will turn out well.
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
In order to discover how I fit in, I must…
4. Work with other believers.
There is only 1 body of Christ. Each Christian is a minister. Each Christian has different functions. Every ministry is important. The body needs every Christian to be a functioning part of the Body of Christ. We must work together.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
In order to discover how I fit in, I must…
5. Use my spiritual gifts.
Every Christian is given spiritual gifts when they are saved. They are there; but many people don’t know what they have to do to discover which gifts they have. As we saw earlier, you discover your gifts by doing something. There is 7 gifts listed in this passage; but it is not a complete list.
